I‘m Ready to Print a Quilt Label, Now What?

Print your quilt label on fabric at home, and grab the free reference card to keep by your printer.

Printing a quilt label on fabric with your home inkjet printer is easier than you might think. Let’s go step by step.

Step 1: Choose the Right Fabric

• For best results, choose tightly woven white or light-colored quilting cotton. Cotton sateen is an excellent choice because of its smooth surface.

Avoid: Muslin with loose weave, or Textured or uneven thread fabric

Pro Tip: The smoother, tighter weave surface, the sharper and brighter your print will appear.

Step 2: Prewash Your Fabric

Wash with mild detergent to remove sizing and finishing chemicals. Rinse thoroughly, avoid fabric softener, and allow the fabric to dry.

• Bubble Jet Set is a fixative - I have been successful with labels without it. It can allow you brighter colors, and better saturation. Follow instructions on the bottle - however you proceed, always test before using on your project.

Step 3: Make Your Fabric Sheet

Cut your prepared fabric and a piece of freezer paper, each slightly larger than a standard letter-sized sheet of paper.

Place the shiny side of the freezer paper against the wrong side of the fabric, then press them together.
Press the edges particularly well.
Trim the finished sheet to exactly 8½ × 11".
Check for loose threads or lifted edges.

Question: How to determine which side is up in the printer?

Make an X on one side of the paper, place it in the printer drawer, print, and watch carefully how the sheet exits your printer. X represents the fabric side.

••• Place a Post-It on your printer - fabric side up or down.

Step 4: Print Your Quilt Label

Set your print size to 100% or Actual Size, select Best or Photo quality, and turn borderless printing off. Choose Matte Photo Paper if appropriate for your printer. Load your fabric sheet in the correct orientation, then print. Printers differ, so check your manufacturer’s recommendations before feeding a fabric-backed sheet.

After printing:

Allow the printed fabric to dry thoroughly.
Carefully remove the freezer-paper backing.
For my fabric-printing method, I use a dry iron on the cotton setting, with a protective pressing cloth, pressing carefully for approximately 3–8 seconds (both sides). Heat-setting requirements may vary depending on your ink and fabric treatment.
Before using a label on an important quilt, make a test print and wash it to check for fading or bleeding.

Tip:

Tip: Sometimes I use two small pieces of masking tape along the leading edge to help keep the fabric securely attached to the freezer paper as the printer begins to pick it up. Confirm the tape is completely flat and secure.

• Printers differ, so check your printer manufacturer's recommendations before feeding a fabric-backed sheet.

Save Your Fabric Sheets

Printing just one label? Here's how I use a half sheet -

I've successfully used smaller fabric sheets secured to a full-size letter sheet as a carrier sheet. However, this method may not work with every printer. Always check your printer's recommendations, and never feed a sheet with loose edges or exposed adhesive.

Having Trouble?

Dull or Light Print?

→ Check fabric weave
→ Try Best/Photo quality
→ Test slightly increased saturation

Ink Bleeding?

→ Check for loose weave
→ Make sure fabric is completely dry/prepared
→ Check printer settings

Fading After Washing?

→ Check pretreatment
→ Review heat-setting method
→ Always wash a test label first

Caring for Your Printed Quilt Label

Most quilts, particularly keepsake and heirloom quilts, aren't washed frequently. Spot clean when appropriate, and follow the quilt's recommended care instructions. Printed labels, like quilt fabrics, may fade with repeated washing.

I've created a free, printable Quilt Label Printing Quick Reference Card

Essential steps to guide you in creating your quilt labels. Print it and keep it beside your printer for the next time you're ready to make a quilt label.

• Looking for a special label for your next quilt? Browse my printable quilt labels at Expressive Quilts.

Browse Printable Quilt Labels.

Download Your Free Practice Quilt Labels (JPEG)

Save the JPEG to your device, then crop a label and try a practice print before printing your finished quilt label.

Download Your FREE Printing Reference Card